Printing-press.



No. 650,039. Patented May 29, |900. J. L. HHM.

. PRINTING PRESS.

(Application filed Feb. 25, 1897.)

(No Model.) 7 Sheets-Shef l.

y@ u *4 v E ,j ,L 4 1 n! R im l n? ou l l 7 @4W @M ma Ncmms Pneus co PHornM `No. 650,639. Patented May 29, |900.

J. L. FIRM.

PRINTING PRESS.

(Application filed Feb. 25, 1897.)

7 Sheets--Sheet 2..

(No Model.)

ATToHNEY,

No. 650,639. Patented M'ay 29, |900.

J. L. FIRM. f

.PRINTING PRESS.

(Application led Feb. 25, 1897.)

7 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Mudel.)

WITNESSES:

ATTO R N EY ..5.

J. L. FIRM.

PRINTING PRESS.

(Application led Feb. 25, 1897.) (No Model.) 7 Sheets--Sheet 4.

. Aibling w61? ,zweba L 8F\979 f 05 faz 2 w I 55 ne@ I.. is .2..

Patentedl may 29, |900.

4 INVENTORI BY .9v/@ge ATTOR N EYS.

No. 050,039. Patented may 29, |900.

J. L. FIRM.

PRINTING PRESS.

(Application led Feb. 25, 1897.) (N0 Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 5.

(IIIWIIWIIIHMIHIIHI E ATTORNEY5.

Raimund my .LAV L FIRM` PRINTING PRESS. (Application led Fab. 25, 1819?.)

7 Sheets-Shut 6.

INVENTOR:

@om Sha/S.

ATTORNEYS.

TH: maar: PETERS co, mom-un wpa-NCTM u. c

No. 650,639. Patented may v29',V |900.-

J. L. FIRM. Y

PRINTING PRESS; (Application led Teb. 25, 1897.)

WITNESSES: INVENTOR. @QM/@ Z. l BY ,2 /f/ee,

ATTORN EYS.

1H: cams PETERS co,. Maremma., wAsHwmoN. n. c,

UNrrnn STATES- "PATENT Ormes.

JoS'nrn i.. FIRM, or JERSEY. CITY, Nrw JERSEY.

PRINTING-PRESS.

SPECIFICATION forming* part f Letters Patent NO. 650,639, dated May 29, 1900. Application iiled February 25, v1897. Serial No. 624,968. (No model.)

To c/.ZZ whom, it may concern-.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH L. FlRM, acitizen of the United States, and a resident of Jersey City, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Printing- Presses, of which the following is a specification.

In my Patent No. 582,631, issued May 18, 1897, is shown a mechanism whereby a book or newspaper of sixteen pages may be formed, which mechanism consists in its most complete form of a web -printing mechanism adapted to perfect a web containing a plurality of pages abreast having the heads of adjoining pages in each transverse row pointing inversely to each other and transversely of the web, longitudinally-splitting mechanism, a longitudinally-folding mechanism for each strip'of the split web, guides whereby said longitudinally-folded strips are associated together and caused to travelin the same direction, mechanism whereby said strips are cnt transversely into sections at the sides of the pages on every other transverse margin, and mechanism for folding said sections on the intermediate transverse margins. For the mechanism shown in said patent a double-width press is necessary, and in view of the fact that the page-columns run parallel with the axes of the cylinders in some cases such a press is objectionably wide.

As one feature of my present invention I am enabled to form a book or newspaper containing sixteen pages or more or less in which the page-columns are printed parallel with the .axes of the cylinders by the employment of a single-width press, or, in other words, one in which only two pages for a signature are printed abreast on the same web.

As another feature of my invention I eniploy one of a plurality of printing mechanisms running at a slower speed than the others, whereby the web of said slower-running mechanism, transversely severed into sections, is associated with the other web or webs in such manner that each section becomes a part of two signatures after the nal transverse cutting.

`Other features of my invention will be described, and pointed out in the claims.

. In the accompanying drawingsI have shown plane may be used and considered as a sini gie-width press, and l shall so treat it in the following description. It is shown as a double-width press for theV purpose of, showing how the single width may, if desired, be duplicated.

Figure 1 is a plan view of the press with those portions omitted which are vertically above the tapes 34 and 38. Fig. 2 is a Vertical longitudinal section of the same on line x :1: of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 ,is an end view of the longitudinal and transverse cutting and folding mechanisms, partly in section. Fig. 4 is a detail of the manner of mounting the rollers,whereby the tension of the web is maintained against the impression-cylinders. Fig. 5 is a detail of the impression-cylinder by which the web is cut transversely. In Figs. 6 to 14: are shown the final products which may be produced by the construction shown in Fig. 2, containing, respectively, ten,twelve, fourteen, sixteen, eighteen, twenty, twentytwo, twenty-four, and thirty-two pages; also, the positions on the webs in which the pages are printed for said products, respectively. Fig. 15 shows a prod uct containing twenty pages, with a line indicated at .',r w' 011 which, with my final folding mechanism, I may fold it transversely across the pages after forming it into book form. Fig. 16 is a Vertical longitudinal section of a modification of Fig. 2in which the longitudinal folding is dispensed with. Fig. 17 shows the relative positions in which the webs are associated by the construction shown in Fig. 16 for ten, fourteen, and sixteen pages, respectively. Figs. 18 and 182L are end views of the driving-gear. Figs. 6a and 6b show the position of the sections of web C associated with another web. l

Y, Y', and Y2 are respectively the side members and base-plate of the frame upon which the printing-cylinders are supported.

A, B, C, and D are four webs of paper, and F, G, H, and I are the printing mechanisms by which they are printed. The cylinders of each of these printing mechanisms are arranged, as shown, with the axes of the cylinders of each printing mechanism in a hori- ICO zontal plane and with the corresponding cylinders inthe various printing-mechanisms vertically above each other. E is a former for longitudinally folding. J is a carrier for transversely folding.

K is a longitudinally-folding and deliveryl mechanism of ordinary construction which may or may not be employed, depending upon whether it is desired to produce a fold across the middle of the pages, as Iindicated by the line Fig. 15, orotherwise.

Each of the vform-cylinders carries yfour forms on a circumference, so that for each rotation each form-cylinder when `the press'is 'Y single width will print eight pages,two by two.

Where the number of pages is a multiple oflfour, all of the printing mechanisms will be run at "the same speed and knives 30 and. 30' will be omitted; but where the number of' pages is not a multiple of four one of saidj printing mechanisms, as I-I, will be run atfl To permit of this variation in the speed of one of said 5 prin-ting mechanisms, I make provision for, using either asingle gear for driving printy` ing mechanism H from printing lnec'hanismf G without change of speed, as show n in Fig. 18, or 'a compound gear to reduce the speed; In Fig. 16 'the compound gear, composed of the small? gear ct and large gear c', is shown in positionE In Fig. 2vthe single gear 03';

half the speed of the other or others.

one-half, as shown in Fig. 18.

in dotted lines. is shown in position in dotted lines.

the compound gear is employed. This is provided for by the slotted bearing for said axis' shown-at 107 in the framepiece 106.

For a product of 'thirty-two pages I employ lthe construction shown in Fig. 2, with all the 20-frein form-cylinder 6 and pages 3,30, 14,

'rollers 16 and 4:7.

and 19 from form-cylinder 8 on web B; pages 6, 27, 1'1, and 22 from form-cylinder 10 and pages 5, 28, .12, and 21 from form-cylinder 12 on web C; pages 8, 25, 9, and 24 from formcylinder 14 and pages 7, 26, 10, and 23 from form-cylinder 16 on web D. The relative positions of said pages on the several webs are shown in Fig. 14. The four webs proceed to the roller 22, the web A by passing around guide-rollers 19, 20, and 21, the web B by passing around guide-rollers 25 and 26, the web C by passing around guide-rollers 32 and 39, and the web D by passing around guide- Being collected at the roller 22, the Webs pass down the former E and are split by the knife e just before reaching its apex. Thence'the'longitudinally folded and split webs pass between -fcarrier -J vand roller u', close to the entrance "between which the apex of the former E is located. The forward edge of the webs is impaled upon a series of pins p on the carrier, and the webs are transversely folded between the folding-rollers u and u' by a folding-blade p and-transversely cut by a knife p2, against the roller it', in accordance with the -mode of operation described in my Patent No. 556,409, dated March 17, 1896, and my application Serial No. 527,002, filed rOctober 26, 189i. Since theformcylin ders of lthe'printin g mechanisms contain four forms'in succession on a circumference, and ltherefore print rows running longitudinally of the web of fourfpages each for each rotation, the'carrier J in circumference and speed is substantially the same as a form-cylinder and is provided with mechanism to cut twice and fold twice for each rotation onvthe transverse margins vproduced by theform-cyli'nders between lthe pages. The product emerges from the rollers u and u in book form, as shown at L, Fig. 14. If,as is generally the case with newspapers, it is desired to givevit va fold across the 'page-columns, it is received between the tapes 70 and 71, by whichit is presentedto a folding mechanism K of wellknown construction.

Since-the combined radii of the two parts t vand at' lare equal to the diameter of the single; 'gear a3, it is 'evident that they may be substituted foreach other without changing the disi tance between the gears 7 and 11'-, but that in order to do so the position of the axis of rota-Q 'tion must be changed, so as to be midway bejI tween the gears 7 and 11' where the single gear c3 is used and so as to be nearer that.,y gearwith which the part-ct engages and farther lfrom that with which a engages whe'rej For a product of twenty-four pages web I) is omitted and printing mechanism I is not used. The webs A, B, and C are printed by the printing mechanisms F, G, and H, respectively, with the pages arranged as shown in Fig. 13. The Webs are then collected, 1ongitudinall y folded and split, and transversely folded 'and cutin the same manner asy for thirty-two pages. f A

For a product of sixteen pages only-two webs and two printing mechanisms are Vemployed, and the `pagesfare arranged'as shown in Fig. 9. These two webs are then associated, `longitudinally folded and split, andtransversely folded and cut as yfor thirty-two pages.

When the number of pages is a multipleof four, but not a multiple of eight, it becomes necessary to employ one or more half-'webs Ain lieu of one Vof the whole webs before referred to. v

lFor a'productof twenty pages I use the full- IOO width webs B and D, but a half-width web C, as shown in Fig. 11. Web B receives pages 2, 19, 9, and 12 from form-cylinder 6 and pages 1, 20, 10, and 11 from form-cylinder 8. Web D receives pages 6, 15, 7, and 14 from form-cylinder 14 and pages 5, 16, 8, and 13 from form-cylinder 16. Half-web C receives pages 4 and 17 from form-cylinder 10 and pages 3 and 1S from form-cylinder 12. The arrangement of these pages upon the webs is shown in Fig. 1l. The webs B and D, with the half-web C between them, are then collected, longitudinally folded and split, and transversely folded and out, as before described for thirty-two pages.

For a product of twelve pages a f ull-width web A and a half-width web B are printed, with the arrangement of pages shown in Fig. 7. The web A is then longitudinally folded and split, with the half-web B inside of it, and the whole is then transversely folded and cut in the same manner as before described for thirty-two pages.

I now come to numbers of pages which are not multiples of four and which therefore require that one of the printing mechanisms, as H, should be run at half the speed of the others. The knives 30 and 30 on impressioncylinder 11 are used. Each knife cuts the web transversely every time it passes the matrix on roller These knives are prevented from cutting against cylinder 9 by the blanket- ,openings 9' thereon and are prevented from cutting against cylinder 12 by the openings 12 between the forms thereon.

For a product of ten pages I employ a full web B and a half-web C, as shown in Fig. 6. The web B receives pages 2, 9, 5, and 8 from one seinicircumference of form-cylinder 6, pages 2, 9, 3, and 6 from the other semicircumference of cylinder 6, pages 1, 10, 6, and 7 from one semicircumference of form-cylinder 8, and pages 1,10, 4, and 5 from the other semicircumference of cylinder 8. The halfweb C receives pages 4 and 7 from each semicircumference of form-cylinder 10 and pages 3 and 8 from each semicircuniference of formcylinder 12. The half-web C is now cut transversely on every other margin by serrated knives 30 and 30', carried in diametricallyopposite positions by the impression-cylinder 11 and cooperating with a matrix on theroller 32. Pins 3l on said cylinder 32 carry the forward edge of the web C between the rollers and 32, where the tapes 33 and 34, running at the same surface speed as printing mechanism H, assume control of it, and it is stripped from the pins by the strippers 32h.` The rollers 35 and 32 are driven from the impression-cylinder 11 by the gears 11', 32', and 35. Each section of the web C is then carried along by the tapes 33 and 34 (the tape 33 being driven by roller 35) until it meets the rollers 36 and 37 which are driven from cylinder 12 by gears 12', 100, 101, 192, 36', and 37' at the same surface speed as the web B or at substantially-twice the surface speed of natures.

Any well-known construction of tapes (not shown) is provided for conducting the web D and the sectionsfrom web C from the guide 62 and roller 39 to the point at which the sections enter between the webs B and D.

In Fig. 6a I have shown the position in which the sections of web C will be associated with the web B at the roller 22, and in Fig. 6b the position, including arrangement of pages, after longitudinally folding web B around section C, but before transverse folding. The line v is the position of the central margin between the pages on, the section C and is the line on which the cut is made which divides the paper between two signatures. The lines n and v2 are where the transverse cuts occur at the other sides of said sigf natures. The lines Iw' wz are where the transverse folds occur in the middles of said sig- Thus the paper included within bracket V will belong to one signature and the paper included Within the bracket V2 will belong to another signature. One half of the section C will belong to the signature within bracket V', and the other half will belong to the signature within bracket V2. The transverse fold of the signature within bracket V' will occur at one edge, w', of the section C, and the transverse fold of the vsignature within bracket V2 will occur at the other edge, we, of section C. The web B and section C, combined as above described, proceed down the former E, so that the web is folded longitudinally outside of said section C. In one signature V' the leaf from section C containing pages 3 and 4 lies between the first two leaves from web B. In the next signature V2 the leaf from section C containing pages 7 and 8 lies between the last two leaves from web B, as shown in Fig. 6b. Just before leaving former E the web Bis split by the knife e on the line 104, which lies in its central longitudinal margin and coincides with the edge of sections C.

After being received upon the carrier J the web is folded transversely on the lines w, w', 102, and w3 at the edge of the section C through the folding rollers u fu.' and is cut transversely on the lines v and c2 midway between the sections C and'on the line t" in the margin at the middle of the sections C. In this manner two of the pages 7 and 8, comprising one leaf of each section C, become the inset (next to last leaf) of one newspaper or signature of ten pages and two of the pages 3 and 4, comprising the other leaf of each section C, become the inset (second leaf) of another newspaper or signature of ten pages.

In all cases where the sections C are em- ICO ployed the two leaves cut from each section will occupy positions in the final product at Aequal distances from the beginning andthe end, respectively, of alternate products. I do not limit myself to placing said leaves from section C always as the second and next to the last leaves, respectively, although that is where they are placed in the examples herein described and shown. Thefollowingpairs of forms may be repeated on opposite semicireumferences of thesame form-cylinderviz., the pair of forms whereby each side of web C 'is printed; also, the pair of forms whereby the vfirst and last pages are printed; also, the pair of forms whereby the second `and next to the last pages are printed.

For a product of fourteen pages I use a fullwidth web B and two half-webs C and D. The arrangement of pages as printed by one semicircumference of each form-cylinder employed is shown in Fig. 8. The relative 'position of the pages in the Vfinal products is shown in Fig. 3, in which figure M and M' represent the succeeding signatures which are created from the webs by substantially the sa-me mode of operation as described 'for the ten-page signature.

For a product of eighteen pages I use full Webs B and D and a half-web C. The arrangement of pages as printed by one semicircumference of each'form-cylinder is shown `in Fig.' 10. The relative position of the pages in the final products is shown in Fig. 10, in ywhich N and N' are the successive signatures produced from the webs by substantially the same manipulation as described for a signatureof ten pages.

Y For a 'product of twenty-two pages I use full webs A and B and half-webs C and D.

The arrangement of pages as printed by one vlei'nicircumference of each form-cylinder is 'shown in Fig. 12. The relative arrangement of the pagesin the final products is shown in Fig. 12, in which O and O' are the successive signatures resulting from manipulating the webs in substantially the same manner described for a signature of ten pages.

In the modied form of construction shown in Fig. 16 the longitudinal folder is omitted, and the webs associated between the rollers 21 and 22 proceed directly onto the carrier J. vIn this case the paper going to form each signature is equivalent in Width to a half-web-` that is to say, the pages for each signature on each web are in single file. If the Webs be more than half-width, they will be slit, and after being received upon carrier J each line of vpages will be delivered as separate products. Y

In Fig.y 17 I have shown the arragement of the webs and pages thereon for signatures of ten, fourteen, and sixteen pages when delivered Without longitudinal folding,as shown in Fig. 16. The arrow shows the direction in which the Webs move and the figures repface.

lpression-cylinder to which itis opposed.

resent an edge View of the same. The transl verse cuts and folds occur as already de scribedin connection with Fig. 6a.

In printing presses heretofore va vlarge amount of attention has been requisite by the operators -to keep'the tension ofthe Webs leaving the web-holders such as to prevent slipping `or fluctuations in speed or position of the web in being printed. I have invented a `means by which this difficulty is overcome.

52 is ashaft journaled inthe side frames of the machine and-carrying the rollers or wheels 53 in such position as vto engage the surface ofthe paper passing around the impressioncylinder 3 upon the unprinted longitudinal margins on said paper or between and outside of the rows of pages. Shaft 52 is driven by gear 53' from gear 3 of printing mechanism F. These wheels clampfthe paper firmly against the surface of thei mpression-cylinder, so that -the travel of the -paperis obliged to correspond accurately withth'e 'speed of the cylinder-sur- To regulate the pressure of said wheels upon the paper, the bearings forthe shaft52 are made adjustable toward the center of the cylinder 3 by the mechanism shown in Fig. 4, in which a set-screw 52a bears against the block 52b containing said bearings.

51 54 56 57 58 59 59a are similar sets of adjustable rollers cooperating, respectively, with the cylinders 1, 7, 5, 1l, 13, and 15.

90 91 92 are mechanisms for applying paste, respectively, to webs A, B, and D.

In Fig. 18 is shown in elevation the arrangement of gearing -by which the cylinders and rollers of Figs. 1 and y2 are driven, the rollers with which the various wheels are connected being indicated by the use of the corresponding reference-'figure with a prime, as 3', 4', 53', and 5l',-being wheels which are connected, respectively, with rollers 3, 4, 53, and 51. The wheels 100, 102, 104, and 105 are idlers which are used to transmit the motion between different parts of the press, and 101 is connected with the inking-roller I-I. It Vwill be observed that each series of wheels 53, 51, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59, and 59 is driven with a surface speed corresponding with that of the imwill also be observed that the shafts 63-and 63'fare driven at a speed which causes the wheels 36 37, fixed to said shafts, to drive the belts 38 and 61 at a speed corresponding with the forward'tr'avel of the Webs A, B, and D. The wheels 36 and 37, over which the tapes 33 and 34 run, are revolubly mounted on the shafts 63 and 63a, respectively, so that the belt 33 is free to be driven by the roller 35 and in turn to drive the belt 34 ataslower rate ot' speed than thatkat which the shafts 63 and 63a`are driven for the purpose of driving the -.tapes 38 and 6l. The tape -38 by vreason of running faster lthan the tape 33, due to its being directly driven through the gear 36', act-s as a traction 'mechanism to propel the sections received by it forward at a greater rate of speed than Vthat previously IOO IIO

given them. The surface speed at the point of contact between the wheels 36 and 37 may be increased above the speed of the tapes 38 and 6l by providing said wheels with peripheral flanges 36b and 37b, as shown, extending for only part of a circumference, which fianges will rmly grip each section and by suddenly accelerating will insure its complete separation on the proper line from the preceding section.

I claim- I. 'In a printing-press, in combination, a plurality of web-printing mechanisms having printing-cylinders with substan tially-parallel axes and adapted to print a plurality of webs each web containing two pages abreast having their heads pointing inversely to each other and transversely of the web, means whereby one of said printing mechanisms is run at a different speed from another, guides whereby said webs are conducted from said cylinders and associated without turning or reversing, a longitudinal folder, a slitter whereby said webs are slit on the central margin as they are being folded, mechanism whereby said longitudinally folded and slit webs are cut transversely into sections at the sides of the pages on every other transverse margin and mechanism for folding said sections on the intermediate transverse margin substantially as described; whereby said webs receive their primary fold together at the ends of the pages and their linal fold inside of each other on every other transverse margin at the sides of the pages and between consecutive pages.

2. In a printing-machine, in combination, a plurality of printing mechanisms each adapted to print a web with the page-colli mns running transversely of the web, mechanism whereby one of said webs is cut transversely into sections on every other transverse margin, mechanism whereby said sections are combined with the web from another printing mechanism in such manner that the pages on a section register with pages belonging to two signatures on said web, mechanism whereby said combined web and section are cuttransversely on the margin at the middle of said section, and mechanism whereby said web is folded transversely outside of the half of said section on the margin at the edge of said section, substantially as described.

3. In a printing-machine, .in combination, a plurality of printing mechanisms adapted to print a plurality of webs with the pagecolumns running transversely of the webs, one or more of which'webs contains two pages abreast having their heads pointing inversely to each other, mechanism whereby one of said webs is cut transversely into sections on every other transverse margin, mechanism whereby said sections are combined with another web in such manner that the pages on a section register with the pages belonging to two signatures on said web, mechanism whereby said web is longitudinally folded outside of said section, mechanism whereby said combined web and section are cut transversely on the margin at the middle of said section and mechanism whereby said web is folded transversely on the margin at the edge of said section, substantially as described.v

4. In a printing-press, in combination, a printing mechanism for web B each form-cylinder of which contains on each semicircumference four-page forms for a single signature, two forms lying transversely of the web in each quarter-circumference with heads pointing inversely, a printing mechanism for web C, mechanism whereby web C is 'cut transversely into sections on every other transverse margin, mechanism whereby said sections are combined with said web B in such manner that the pages on each section register with pages belonging to two signatures on said web, mechanism whereby said associated web and sections are cut transversely on the margin at the middle of each section, and mechanism whereby a signature from said web is folded transversely outside of each half of each of said sections, substantially as described.

5. In a printing-machine, in combination, the following mechanism whereby are made from a plurality of webs two signatures in which one of the webs supplies pagesalternately for the first and last half of said signatures,viz: aplurality of web-printingmechanisms, mechanism whereby one of said webs is cut transversely into sections each containing a leaf for each of two signatures, mechanism whereby each section is associated with a web so that said section registers with the leaves on said web of two signatures, mechanism for cutting the Webs and sections on the margins between the signatures and mechanism for folding the signatures on the margins at the edges of the sections, substantially as described.

6. In a printing-machine, in combination, a plural ity of printing mechanisms each adapted to print a web with page-columns running transversely of the web, mechanism whereby one of said printing mechanisms is driven at a slower speed than another, a cutting mechanism whereby said slower-running web is cut transversely on every other transverse margin as it leaves its printing mechanism, tape mechanism, as 33, driven at substantially the speed of said slower running printing mechanism receiving said slower running web after being cut and having a supporting-surface substantially as long as the width of two pages, web traction mechanism as the tape 38 driven at substantially the speed of said faster-running printing mechanism whereby the sections of said transversely-cut web are conveyed from said tape mechanism 33 to a point of association, substantially as described.

7. In the conveying mechanism of a printing-machine, a sheet-accelerator containing the following parts in combination, viz: the

IOC)

ripheral speeilexceeding that ef the tape 3S, substantially as desciibed.

JOSEP L. FIRM.

Witnesses:

JAMES T. LAW, J. E. 'GREEK 

